BASEBALL

BASEBALL; Kelly Is Sent Down, So Barfield Can Come Up

By JACK CURRY,

Published: June 18, 1992

BOSTON, June 17—
The Yankees today demoted second baseman Pat Kelly, the player they have long considered a linchpin of their future, and shelved their rotating infield for the time being.

Kelly was sent to the Class AAA Columbus Clippers to open a roster spot for outfielder Jesse Barfield, back from an injured wrist.

With Kelly's playing time shrinking and Mike Gallego and Andy Stankiewicz having served as the double-play combination in eight of the last nine games, the Yankees needed to find more times at bat for Kelly.

Since they were not available in the major leagues, Kelly, who is 24 years old, will get them in the minors, after 212 consecutive days with the Yankees.

Kelly joined the Yankees last May, batted .242 in 96 games but showed enough promise that the Yankees traded second baseman Steve Sax, their only .300 hitter last season, to the Chicago White Sox in January for Melido Perez and two minor league pitchers.

But the signing of Gallego to a three-year, $5.1 million free agent contract and the unexpected emergence of the 27-year-old Stankiewicz squeezed out Kelly. He was hitting .224 with 37 strikeouts in 116 times at bat.

Reached by telephone at his hotel this afternoon, before he left for New York, Kelly was curt, saying, "I have nothing to say right now," before hanging up the receiver.

Showalter described Kelly as "disappointed," but not hostile. Kelly was summoned to Fenway Park five hours before tonight's game with the Red Sox and given the news.

"I know he would like to continue to play up here," Showalter said. "I think he understands the situation we're in. He doesn't have to like it.

"Pat is strong-willed. He'll get it done. He'll do the things it takes to get back here. I don't think he has fallen out of our plans. We still feel very stongly about Pat's potential."

Stankiewicz, who was not even a starter at Columbus when last season opened, is now the starting shortstop, but he was not gloating.

"I don't think Pat belongs in the minor leagues," said Stankiewicz, who was batting .303. "I just got off to a hot start. It doesn't mean I'm better than Pat. What happened to him could happen to me in a heartbeat."